Ginny’s groan breaks the comfortable silence. “Ugh, it’s time for me to go.” And I can’t help but laugh at how she crosses her arms over her chest, pouting like a kid.So fucking adorable.
“No, stay,” Carter whines dramatically, throwing his arms and legs around her, attempting to hold her hostage.
She laughs but shakes her head. “I wish I could, but if I stay any longer, Dad and Antony will start calling, and I’ve already been out later than I told him. I have to pick my battles.” Her voice drops, frustration evident. “I can’t wait to find a way to get rid of Antony, so I can finally tell Dad about the three of you.”
I frown, the mention of Antony sending a wave of unease through me. “Just be careful, Ginny. From what I saw of him at the rink that morning, he’s fucking psycho.”
“Trust me, I’ve figured that out,” she mutters darkly.
Carter sighs, unweaving himself from her and stands, taking her hand in his as he pulls her up. “I’ll walk you out.”
Before she leaves, she turns to Chase and me, a hopeful look in her eyes. “Can I get a hug before I go?”
“Of course,” we answer in unison.
She embraces Chase first, holding him tightly, whispering something in his ear that I can’t quite hear. He nods, his face softening as she kisses his cheek. Then she shifts to me, pulling me into the same tight hug.
“I’m so glad you two are working through things,” she whispers against my ear. Then she leans back slightly, eyes full of hope. “Next time I can sneak away, do you think we can have that date, just the three of us? A chance to reconnect alone?”
Chase answers before I can. “Absolutely. I’d love that. We’d love that.”
Ginny beams, stepping back as Carter grabs her jacket, helping her slip it on before guiding her outside, leaving Chase and me alone.
I exhale, running a hand through my hair. “I guess I should order a Lyft to take me home.”
Chase’s hand is on my arm before I can move, his grip firm but gentle. “No, stay with me. Here.” His throat bobs as he swallows.
I search his face, hesitant. “Are you sure? I don’t want to push you.”
“You’re not,” he says softly. “We’re taking steps. And if we want to move forward with Ginny, too, we need to keep moving forward with us.” He hesitates, his fingers flexing against my arm. “This will be a real test. Sleeping in the same bed—not because we have to, but because we choose to. I’m not ready to have sex, but I want to see how it feels to sleep beside you again. To have you hold me like you used to. Maybe even kiss you some more.”
I feel like my chest is going to cave in from how much I want this. “I’d like that too.”
Chase nods, but I can see the slight nervousness in his eyes, the hesitation that comes with opening himself back up to me. I won’t take that for granted.
After a moment, I frown. “Are you sure about the date with Ginny? I don’t want you to feel like we have to rush that. She seems willing to wait for us. To be on our schedule when we’re ready to move forward. I’m sure Carter will be more than happy to keep her occupied.”
“I am,” he admits with a steady voice. “She left us with only a note. It’s not like she knew we’d ever meet again. But we did. And…” He exhales slowly. “I miss her too, if I’m being honest.”
I nod, understanding completely. There is still a long way to go, but this—this moment—feels like progress.
Chase steps into me then, closing the distance as his arms slide around my waist. His fingers slipping beneath the hem of my shirt, grazing my skin, igniting a warmth that spreads through me like wildfire. I let my hands settle on his hips, holding him there as we stand in the dimly lit living room, nothing but the sound of our breaths and the hum of the TV in the background.
He wants me here. He is choosing me.
A throat clears behind us, and Carter stands just inside the door, gazing at our moment of intimacy with the biggest smile on his face.
Chase doesn’t miss a beat. “Blake’s staying over tonight. You can go ahead and lock up.”
Carter does the goofiest happy dance, showing his most awkward moves, and I’m so glad he’s never done any of them when we’ve won on the ice.
“Really?” Chase barks at him, but I can see the grin he’s fighting to hide. He’s happy to see Carter reacting this way as well.
“What? I’m…” He puts on an ugly crying face before bringing his fist to his chest, giving it a slight pound. “I’m just so happy the two of you are back together.” He chokes out the words, and both Chase and I shake our heads.
“We’re going to bed before you become any more dramatic.” Chase takes hold of my hand and leads us up the stairs, my pulse racing. I can't believe this is really happening.
The door clicks shut behind us as we enter the quietness of Chase’s bedroom. The room is dimly lit, the glow from his bedside lamp casting golden hues across the walls, stretching long shadows over the bed. My heart pounds, not from nerves exactly, but from the weight of the moment—of what this means, of what we’re building again, step by step.
